(a) The District Attorney for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit is hereby authorized to appoint a chief investigator for such office. Such additional investigators may from time to time be appointed as the district attorney and the governing body of the county comprising the circuit may deem necessary. Such investigators shall serve at the pleasure of the district attorney.
(b) The investigators shall have the same authority and powers vested in deputy sheriffs and all other law enforcement officers of the State of Alabama. They shall be responsible to the district attorney and shall perform all duties assigned to them by the official.
(c)(1) The salary for the chief investigator shall not be less than the third step of the pay grade assigned to the chief deputy sheriff in the sheriff's department for the county comprising the circuit. The salary for all other investigators shall be established by levels and assigned salaries as follows:
a. Level 1. Not less than the third step of the pay grade assigned to a captain in the sheriff's department for the county comprising the circuit.
b. Level 2. Not less than the third step of the pay grade which is one grade above the pay grade assigned to a captain in the sheriff's department.
c. Level 3. Not less than the third step of the pay grade assigned to the assistant chief deputy sheriff in the sheriff's department.
(2) The maximum salary for the chief investigator and the other investigators shall be established at the first longevity step of the assigned pay grade. The salaries shall be paid from the General Fund of Montgomery County as other county employees are paid.
(d) The governing body of the county in which the circuit is located shall purchase from the general fund, upon the application of the district attorney for the use of such investigators, equipment and supplies including automobiles, radios, and other electronic equipment, which are necessary in the proper performance of their duties and pay for such other expenses which are reasonably necessary in the suppression of crime, the apprehension of criminals, and duties assigned them. The governing body of the county shall be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of such equipment.